took more time

USAGE SUMMARY

'took more time' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe an activity that has taken a longer than expected amount of time. For example: "The project took more time than anticipated, but eventually we completed it successfully."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Finding a bride took more time.

The New York Times

So it took more time for a larger transformation.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Second, it also took more time to explain.

The Economist

Many said they previously took more time off.

The New York Times

His move away from their communism took more time.

The Guardian - Books

It took more time and more stamina than we imagined.

The New York Times

These steps took more time for some groups which meant less time for experimenting and implementing.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Manassero said he thought Guan took more time at the 16th tee than on the green.

The New York Times

It took more time to write a rap than write a three-page paper".

The New York Times

I took more time off work, and the company sent over two more technicians.

The New York Times

Should I take time off?" As his popularity soared, Hamels took more time off.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "took more time", ensure the context clearly indicates what the activity is being compared to. This avoids ambiguity and clarifies why the extra time was needed.

Common error

Avoid using "took more time" without specifying what it took more time than. For example, instead of saying "The project took more time", specify "The project took more time than initially planned".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "took more time" functions as a verb phrase, typically acting as the predicate of a clause. According to Ludwig's examples, it indicates that a particular activity or process required a longer duration than anticipated or compared to something else.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

35%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "took more time" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that something required a longer duration than expected. According to Ludwig, this phrase is most frequently found in News & Media and Scientific contexts. When using "took more time", it is important to clearly specify the point of comparison to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "required additional time" for a more formal tone. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is widely accepted and used in English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

required additional time

Emphasizes the necessity of more time being needed.

consumed more time

Focuses on the amount of time that was used up.

needed a longer duration

Highlights the extended period that was necessary.

was more time-consuming

Describes the activity as inherently taking up a lot of time.

lasted for a greater period

Focuses on the length of the activity or process.

extended over a longer timeframe

Highlights the stretched-out nature of the duration.

demanded more time

Emphasizes the urgency or requirement for more time.

entailed a longer process

Describes the overall procedure as needing extra time.

involved a more protracted period

Highlights the drawn-out nature of the required timeframe.

stretched out longer

Focuses on the expansion of time beyond initial expectation.

FAQs

How can I use "took more time" in a sentence?

You can use "took more time" to indicate that something required a longer duration than expected or compared to something else. For example, "The experiment "took more time" than anticipated, but the results were significant".

What's a more formal way to say "took more time"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "required additional time" or "consumed more time". These alternatives convey a similar meaning but may be more appropriate in professional or academic contexts.

Is it correct to say "taken more time"?

While grammatically "taken more time" can appear in sentences, it requires a helping verb such as "has" or "had". For example, "The project has "taken more time" than we thought". Without the helping verb, "took more time" is generally the correct past tense form.

What can I say instead of "took more time" to emphasize efficiency?

If you want to contrast it with efficiency, you could say it "was more time-consuming" or "demanded more time". These alternatives highlight the inefficiency or the higher time investment required.